I am missing the Farm once again

The Farm activity is going ON in full swing without me there.  I am missing the action. Anyway,

a) 100 Banana siblings have been re-located around the Wind Pump.  They were uprooted, kept for 2 days to dry and planted again evenly.  That means by next few months there will be lush green growth around the wind pump on both sides.

b) Subbu will go to a nursary to purchase some more trees. We have decided we will have;
1) Coconut trees - 10
2) Lemon trees - 5
3) Teak to replace gaps where casurina did not grow - 20
4) Any other fruit trees - Sapota few

Around 30 seeds of Country palm has also been sown.

As per latest information the pond is full with water and overflowing.

Meanwhile Subbu and Paramu had attempted to try their experiment on windpump to increase the sweep length. It is raining over there.  He called from wet phone to say that they had some issues - a wrong welding which needs correction.  A visit to nearby town to do proper welding got delayed due to power cut.  I am still wondering what device Paramu has made - after we discussed on my visit.

I have asked for photographs of the farm and the device. Subbu wanted to send me photo after making it success.  This is the problem with we Indians :-)

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Our first commercial sale of pumpkin, a small achievement and major milestone

Yesterday was one of the happy days and Subbu kept on talking without knowing how to stop himself.  We talked about two happy problems and one achievement.

Our first commerical sale has happened.  Pumpkin 3 Nos each weighing 5 KG. It was sold to Rs. 18/- per Kg, totally giving Rs. 270/- at Parappadi market (5 Kms from the farm). My wife was happy hearing this. We told the money to be deposited in our Native Place Temple Shri Srivaramanga Sematha Sri Deivanayaka Perumal Koil, about 10 kms from there. The first harverst is always for the God.

One plant of Tapioca that Subbu planted has matured and bursting with root tubers. This has uprooted the newly planted Lemon (Elumichchai) and Bitter orange (Narthangai) saplings, because they rooted so close. We have never experienced Tapioca. He asked what to do?. If we harvest the Tapioca, we will damage the plant. If we don't the tapioca will bounce back again from the root and Lemon can never grow properly. I told to remove everything carefully with some soil and replant elsewhere.  It is fun to do organic farming with multiple species. You learn a lot.

Subbu has finally fixed the counter weight that was pending on the WindMill propeller blades. It was

because of the scientist/carpenter Somu who can never sleep without fixing something. He was absent for few months and has returned now. As per the beautiful technology designed by PolDaw engineers, the wind pump will have a counter weight at two of the properllers which is diametrically opposite to the assembly rod which pulls the water pump rod.  This will make the propeller rotate even for slightest wind.

But since this is slow motion action, no water will be drawn from the well in very slow winds. This is the ideal configuration but was bothering Subbu. He cannot tolerate something rotating and not giving water. When you give a rotational kick with hands, water was jetting out. What to do, he was asking?  I told him to just enjoy and dont worry.

Yesterday and today the pattam was laid for planting Siru Kilangu.  Pattam is the raised mud bar made with skill. Only a skilled labor can do it. I understand the person who came to do this job, liked the organic farming methods that we are adopting. He has long since not seen organic farming anywhere and was recalling his childhood experience. Same was the case with an old woman who visited when our guest  Paramez was there. She was mentioning how to prepare organic manure with Kolinji (seen in the picture).

I need to now think about accounting and some book keeping. So far Subbu was noting down the expenses on a rough notebook. I was not even doing that and was focusing on only major trends. It is important to now provide a policy on consumption and sale.  Selling to market for high profit is not our first priority. Our first priority will be to develop small door-to-door vendors - mostly old women with basket.

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